Girls in Cub Scouts: One Girls Story of Participating in Pinewood Derby

Girls not allowed in Scouting until now? Well, some girls have been unofficially participating for years.

Girls in Cub Scouts

Hanna Sauer, now a college freshman, competed in her local Pinewood Derby about ten years ago with her local Scouts. She was one of the girls in Cub Scouts long before the recent policy change. She regularly participated in other youth organizations in her community but felt unfulfilled by crafting and staying indoors.

Her little brother Jacob joined Cub Scouts as soon as he could. He was constantly camping and doing fun activities while Hanna watched. Hanna felt jealous of all the opportunities he had, especially when the Pinewood Derby came along. After a great deal of convincing, Hanna’s dad bought her a car kit too. But, that was not enough. Hanna wanted to both make the car and compete against all of the boys.

Luckily, the Scoutmaster was a family friend and let Hanna participate. She used tools she found in her grandpa’s toolshed to create the car. The finished product was shaped like a turtle. It was painted green and even had a turtle tail.

She soon found out, though, that turtles are not the most aerodynamic shape. She must have taken the tale about the tortoise and the hare a little too seriously! Hanna lost every single race. But, the defeat did not phase her. This experience is one of the fondest memories she has.

Hanna is so grateful for this experience she had at a young age. Being quite the tomboy, she found it hard to find activities she really enjoyed. Scouting filled a void for her.

“It’s incredible that girls are able to join Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts now, because I know there are a lot of little girls out there who were just like me when I was their age. They want nothing more than to get the same chances that the boys are getting. It is also really incredible that girls will be able to earn the title of Eagle Scout. I know that saying you’re an Eagle Scout goes a long way with some college and job applications. There is not really another equivalent out there for Girls.”

2 comments

I see you have very strong feelings about this topic. I understand this new policy is quite the change and will take some getting used to. However, if we get back to the basics of Scouting and the purpose of Scouting in America this transition does not seem so out of place and abrupt.

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Oath: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

First, the mission explicitly says “to prepare young people”. There is no mention of only preparing boys. This mission was changed many years ago to reflect the true purpose of the Scouting program. As for the Oath and Law, these characteristics and goals are something all people can benefit from. A mother who is physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight is a good mother. A wife who is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, thrifty, brave, and clean is a better wife destined for a strong marriage. A sister and daughter who is friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, and reverent is a great addition to any family.

This new policy change enacts what has already been happening for years. Now these girls are able to advance and earn awards based on their hard work. This decision was not reactionary to the ever-present and seemingly looming feminist movement. This is not the National leadership collapsing under the pressure of corrupt mothers and parasitic fathers.

First and foremost, the Scouting program cares about its participants’ feelings and safety. They always have and always will care about their boys. This does not detract from the power of the Scouting program. The addition of girls will not have a negative impact on current or future boys participating in Scouts. No one involved in this decision has ever thought “so what?” about the people who disagree with their choices. For many years they have researched and weighed both the positives and negatives. They would not have made this choice if the benefits far outweighed the disadvantages.

Thinking girls should not belong in a program that does so much good for the world is not bigotry, it is blindness.